Violin by Hart and Son England

Hart & Sons, a firm of London violin makers, founded in 1825 by John Hart. His son, John Thomas Hart (b. Dec. 17, 1805; d. London, Jan. 1, 1874), a pupil of Gilkes, made a complete study of Cremonese and other violins of Italian make, establishing a reputation as an expert in his field. His son, George Hart (b. London, March 23, 1839; d. near Newhaven, April 25, 1891), succeeded him and publ. The Violin: Its Famous Makers and Their Imitators (London, 1875; French ed., Paris, 1886) and The Violin and Its Music (London, 1881). His sons, George and Herbert Hart, inherited the business.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire